NC State fired Kevin Keatts as the school's men's basketball coach Sunday, making the move a year after he led the Wolfpack on an unexpected run to the Final Four.
Keatts had served as NC State coach since 2017, posting five 20-win seasons and making three NCAA tournament appearances. Last year, he guided the team to the ACC tournament title as a No. 10 seed then into the Final Four as a No. 11.
But the Wolfpack were 12-19 this season, including a 5-15 record in the ACC. They did not qualify for this year's conference tournament.
"I am extremely proud of what we accomplished during my time here," Keatts said on social media, noting his tenure started with an NCAA investigation from the previous staff. "... As we enter this new era of college sports, I wholeheartedly believe that I am leaving the program in better position to succeed than when I started -- and that the basketball program will continue to thrive when supported to the level necessary to compete."
He concluded his message by saying he was "officially entering the portal."
Keatts was 151-113 overall at NC State, which said it will begin a national search for his replacement.
"I want to thank Coach Keatts for his contributions to NC State and for always representing the university with class," NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan said in a statement. "He will always have a treasured place in Wolfpack history for the accomplishments of his 2023-24 squad, and I appreciate the passion he brought to this role. We wish him and his family the best in the future."
